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BAHAMAS: Government signs contract that will give Crooked Island settlements potable water for first time

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Crooked Island, June 20, 2019 – Bahamas – Residents of Crooked Island clapped their hands gleefully and burst forth exclamations of praise during the contract signing ceremony to supply potable water for the first time in several settlements on this remote island.

Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC) Executive Chairman and MP for Long Island, Adrian Gibson led a small delegation to this southern island Tuesday, June 18, 2019 and signed a contract totaling $1,911,650.46 with Peter Andrews, Chairman, Bahamas Hot Mix (BHM) at Ezekiel Thompson Hall in Cabbage Hill.

The delegation included Miriam Emmanuel, MP for MICAL and Chairman, Education Loan Authority; Elwood Donaldson, General Manager, WSC; Robert Deal, Deputy General Manager; Cyprian Gibson, Assistant General Manager, WSC; Bennett Minnis, WSC board member; Karl McIntosh, N.O Whyte and Associates Ltd.; other representatives of WSC and BHM.  Leonard Dames Jr., Administrator; Local Government practitioners including David Daxon, Chief Councilor, leaders of religious organizations and other residents of the island attended the ceremony.

The project is a part of the $28.33 million loan from the Caribbean Development Bank and $13.3 million in counterpart funding from the Bahamas Government, and is expected to supply water to the Pond Road, Timothy Thompson Settlement, Church Grove Settlement and Colonel Hill Settlement.  It covers approximately 18,850 feet of 4-inch PVC pipe, approximately 5,800 feet of 2-inch PVC pipe and 83 water service connections. The work is expected to be completed in approximately 8 months.

Local residents of Crooked Island are expected to be employed on the project that also offers opportunities for females to work as required by CDB terms.

Mr. Andrews said skilled operators are needed but the majority of hires will be trained on the job.

The program comprises two projects in New Providence and projects on six Family Islands including Crooked Island.

In his remarks, WSC Chairman, expressed excitement as the government provides a potable water distribution to Crooked Island.

“We recognize that all of Crooked Island will not benefit from this initial project but this government is committed to providing the entire island with a potable water system; so we intend to expand the system as far and as fast as the budget will allow,” said Mr. Gibson.

He responded to some of the concerns expressed by Mr. Daxon, on behalf of the residents, in his welcome.

“I understand his passion,” said Mr. Gibson. “I feel the same way about my island. The corporation will also be purchasing a Reverse Osmosis plant to address your concerns because of water production.

“Limited budgets can only do some things at a time. Start at one point and over time you build on that until you get to where you want to be. I agree, access to potable water is a universal right. All of these islands should have potable water. It is unfortunate that it happened. We’re doing our best to address it.  He who feels it knows it.”

Mr. Gibson remarked that because The Bahamas is located in a hurricane zone the proposed water systems have been designed so that they are robust to climate variability and climate change. He said engineers have identified potential climate change impacts along with the appropriate adaptation measures.

He explained that pipelines along roadways which are adjacent to the sea will be laid at a depth of 4 feet, rather than the standard 3 feet and will be installed on the opposite side of the roadway from where the sea is.

Studies have been carried out to identify areas that would be under water if Crooked Island is impacted by a storm of high intensity.

Mr. Gibson expressed thanks to the Hon. Desmond Bannister, Minister of Public Works; and to the Most Hon. Prime Minister Hubert Minnis for their support. He also acknowledged the following:  the CDB, Julius Bonaby and the staff of the Family Island Department of WSC in Crooked Island; engineers in the Project Management Unit; and N.O. Whyte and Associates for their technical assistance and project management.

He assured residents in the Family Islands that the government will do everything in its power to ensure a safe and reliable water supply to residents.

“This government is keenly aware of the needs in the various Family Islands and we are currently formulating plans to address them,” he said.

By Kathryn Campbell

Release: BIS

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Adrian Gibson, Executive Chairman, Water and Sewerage Corporation and MP for Long Island speaks at a Contract Signing ceremony in Crooked Island, June 18, 2019.  (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)

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Adrian Gibson, Executive Chairman, Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC) and MP for Long Island signs the contract as Peter Andrews, Chairman, Bahamas Hot Mix (BHM), looks on, June 18, 2019.  Also shown is Elwood Donaldson, General Manager, WSC and Paul Huckle, Commercial Manager, BHM.   (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)

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Adrian Gibson, WSC Executive Chairman and MP for Long Island, is shown holding contract with Peter Andrews, Chairman, BHM.  Also shown from left in the first row: Miriam Emmanuel, MP for MICAL and Chairman, Education Loan Authority; Elwood Donaldson, General Manager, WSC. From left in back row: Cyprian Gibson, Assistant General Manager; Leonard Dames, Administrator; David Daxon, Chief Councilor; Karl McIntosh, N.O Whyte and Associates Ltd; Ashton Symonette and Ayla Isaacs, Project Management Unit; Bennett Minnis, Board Member and Paul Huckle, BHM.

(BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)

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Bahamas News

Ayla Isaacs Unveils Transformative Guide Amidst Challenging Times

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Bahamian author Ayla Isaacs is making an impactful debut in the literary world with her book, “Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health—Transforming Your Wellbeing With Diet, Exercise, and Rest.” As crime rates surge and the aftermath of the pandemic leaving many grappling with hopelessness and a sense of abandonment, Isaacs’ guide offers a beacon of hope and a roadmap for personal transformation, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing spiritual resilience in navigating adversity.

Long-time Bahamian physician Dr. Horizal Simmons says, “Ms. Isaacs not only states the spiritual ingredient that we should use for our therapy, but she also explains how it works in our spiritual system and the beneficial changes that will bring the desired transformation or spiritual health benefits.” Applauding the soundness of the book and paralleling it to physical wellness, Dr. Simmons said he highly recommends it to anyone serious about their spiritual well-being and health.

Isaacs is a highly experienced Project Manager who draws from her background in Civil and Environmental Engineering, International Business, and Christian ministry, whether a physical structure or the wellbeing of an individual’s life. Her published work shows that she strongly believes in building with structural integrity. Isaacs provides readers with a holistic approach to welfare beyond traditional self-help. She explores the transformative power of simple spiritual practices integrated into daily life. Isaacs believes that prioritizing spiritual health can help individuals find inner fulfillment and a sense of purpose, which she believes are essential in combating the prevailing hopelessness.

Coach Gregory Cash, who has spent decades helping to develop great athletes and leaders in the country, believes the unique perspective shared, especially relating to spiritual exercise, can touch the hearts of so many. Wendy Fernander, PhD., a licensed clinical psychologist and president of the Bahamas Psychological Association, noted that too few of us think about our spiritual diet, which results in our spiritual wellbeing. When asked about the book, Dr. Fernander said, “This book will provoke you to do serious soul searching.”

Amid the challenges communities face, Isaacs encourages readers to initiate a positive “me” movement—a focus on self-improvement that, when embraced collectively, can lead to stronger families, churches, and nations. According to Isaacs, strengthened individuals become catalysts for positive change within their immediate circles, creating a ripple effect that extends to broader communities.

Ayla Isaacs, whose roots go back to South Eleuthera, is a founding member of the Smart and Strong Sisterhood (SASS) and the creative mind behind A.I. Paper, a gift-wrapping paper and bag company that celebrates the islands of The Bahamas. Isaacs believes that investing in spiritual wellbeing is pivotal for personal growth and resilience. A conference speaker who is actively involved in church ministries and affiliated with several civic organizations, Isaacs firmly believes in the balance between personal and community wellbeing.

“Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health” is now available on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com in paperback and eBook form and locally at Oasis Bookstore in Nassau. Isaacs encourages readers to embark on a transformative journey and be architects of their spiritual wellbeing. In times of uncertainty, “Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health” offers a guide and a message of hope and empowerment for individuals seeking personal and communal transformation.

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Tired of Taking Notes? The new Samsung Galaxy S24 Will Transcribe and Summarize Your Voice Notes In A Snap! 

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NASSAU, Bahamas – Faster, smarter and more convenient than ever before, the new Samsung Galaxy S24 will revolutionize your productivity with its new Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist features. In the continuous pursuit of delivering innovative solutions that enhance productivity and user experience, Samsung Electronics is proud to introduce two groundbreaking features: Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist.

The Transcript Assist feature, powered by Galaxy’s advanced artificial intelligence, takes note-taking to a whole new level by enabling users to easily convert voice notes and conversations into useful and accessible notes. Whether in a business meeting, conference, or casual conversation, the Galaxy S24’s Transcript Assist makes capturing information easier than ever.

By utilizing Transcript Assist, users can effortlessly record any conversation with multiple speakers and transform it into a clear and concise transcript with just a few taps. This feature is particularly useful for those who need to keep a detailed record of discussions and decisions made during important meetings or collaborative work sessions.

“With Transcript Assist, we’re redefining the way people take notes and record information,” said Gianmarco Leri, Product Manager at Samsung Electronics. “No longer do you have to worry about missing important details during a conversation. With the Galaxy S24, you can capture every word and turn it into a useful reference that you can easily review and share.”

In addition to generating accurate transcripts, the Transcript Assist feature also offers the ability to generate quick summaries of conversations, as well as the option to translate the entire transcript into different languages, facilitating communication and collaboration among people from different regions and cultures.

On the other hand, the Browsing Assist feature allows users to navigate more efficiently and conveniently on their Galaxy S24 devices by providing intelligent and contextual suggestions during web browsing and online content exploration.

The Galaxy S24, equipped with Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist, marks the beginning of a new era of productivity and convenience in mobile devices. These innovative features demonstrate Samsung Electronics’ continued commitment to providing advanced tools that help people achieve their goals more effectively and efficiently in everyday life.

So, get ready! The new Samsung Galaxy S24 will be coming soon to tech stores in The Bahamas soon.

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Bahamas News

Weather Systems Affect Cuba and The Bahamas

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Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

#Weather#Cuba#TheBahamas, March 25th, 2024 – Serious weather struck The Bahamas and Cuba over the weekend, both nations receiving warnings from their meteorological entities. The Bahamas was affected by severe thunderstorms.  In fact, an area of the Carnival Freedom Cruise Ship, which was 20 miles off Eleuthera, Bahamas, caught fire and reports say it was possibly due to a lightning strike.  Fortunately no lives were reported lost.

Meanwhile, Cuba had intense rainfall and hailstorms, resulting in damage to surrounding areas, thousands left without electricity amid fallen trees and Flash Floods.

 

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